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Updated: Sep 28, 2026
A Murine Model of Group B Streptococcus Vaginal Colonization
Published on: November 16, 2016
Barriers to implementing the group B streptococcal prevention guidelines
Vicky Cárdenas1, Robert L Davis, Mary Beth Hasselquist
1Department of Epidemiology at the University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA.
Insights
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) screening compliance was low, especially for teen mothers. Targeted efforts are needed to ensure intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis for high-risk GBS-positive women.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Neonatal Health
- Infectious Disease Prevention
Background:
- Group B streptococcal disease is a primary cause of neonatal sepsis in the US.
- Consensus guidelines exist for perinatal GBS disease prevention.
- Compliance with these guidelines was assessed in two hospitals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify predictors of non-compliance with GBS screening and prevention guidelines.
- To analyze factors influencing intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) administration.
Main Methods:
- Descriptive and cohort analysis of singleton birth pregnancies (Sept 1996-Dec 1997).
- Examined failure to screen at 35-37 weeks gestation.
- Studied failure to provide IAP to GBS-positive women.
Main Results:
- 28% of 1969 women lacked appropriate GBS screening.
- Teenage women were less likely to be screened.
- Short hospital stay and low-risk status predicted lack of IAP for GBS-positive women.
Conclusions:
- Screening interventions should target teenage pregnant women.
- IAP delivery should be prioritized for low-risk GBS-positive women with precipitous labor.
Background:
Group B streptococcal disease is the leading cause of neonatal sepsis in the United States. We assessed predictors of compliance with the consensus guidelines for perinatal group B streptococcus disease prevention at two Group Health Cooperative hospitals.
Methods:
A descriptive and cohort analysis was conducted of failure to comply with the screening-based approach to group B streptococcus prevention among singleton birth pregnancies in two Group Health Cooperative hospitals, September 1, 1996 to December 31, 1997. We studied determinants of failure to screen pregnant women for group B streptococcus at 35 to 37 weeks' gestation and failure to deliver intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis to Group B streptococcus-positive women.
Results:
Nearly 28 percent of 1969 women delivering at two Group Health Cooperative hospitals were not screened appropriately for group B streptococcus. Women who were not screened properly were more likely to be in their teens. A short length of hospital stay before delivery was the strongest predictor of the lack of administration of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis to infected multiparas at delivery. Group B streptococcus-positive women without pregnancy complications were less likely to receive intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis than infected women with complications.
Conclusions:
The findings of this study suggest that to improve group B streptococcus disease prevention, screening efforts should focus on teenage women, and intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis delivery efforts should be aimed at low-risk women with precipitous labor.
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